r
aspirations and vocation to the apostolate in America, backing up the
authority of that inner voice with the external testimonials of
prelates and priests and laymen, whose letters had been procured by
the Propaganda as evidence in the case before the Congregation of
Bishops and Regulars.

"If God has called me," he continues, "to such a work, His providence
has in a singular way, since my arrival at Rome, opened the door for
me to undertake it. The object of my coming to Rome was to induce the
General to sustain and favor the extension of our missionary labors
in the United States. It was undertaken altogether for the good of
the order, in the general interests of religion, and in undoubted
good faith. Under false impressions of my purpose, my expulsion from
the Congregation was decreed three days after my arrival. This was
about three months ago, and it was the source of the deepest
affliction to me, and up to within a short time my greatest desire
was to re-enter the Congregation. At present it seems to me that
these things were permitted by Divine Providence in order to place me
in the position to undertake that mission which has never ceased to
occupy my thoughts."

After some description of the state of religion in America the
statement concludes:

"These [American non-Catholics] require an institution which shall
have their conversion to the Catholic faith as its principal aim,
which is free to develop itself according to the fresh wants which
may spring up, thus opening an attractive future to the religious
vocations of the Catholic young men of that country.

"Regarding, therefore, my early and extensive acquaintance among my
own people, politically, socially, religiously, with the knowledge of
their peculiar wants, with their errors also; and the way in which
God has led me and the graces given to me; and my interior
convictions and the experience acquired confirming them since my
Catholic life, and also my singular position at present--the
question, in conclusion, is to know from holy, instructed, and
experienced men in such matters whether or not there is sufficient
evidence of a special vocation from God for me to undertake now such
a work."

What follows is placed at the bottom of the last page of the
statement:

"EPIPHANY, 1858, ROME.

"This document I had translated into Italian, and I gave it to
Cardinal Barnabo, Archbishop Bedini, Father Francis, Passionist--my
director while in Rome--Fat